Archive for December, 2010

This is the last day of 2010, so it is time to look back at what we’ve done.

Here at HIPPO Internet Marketing, I announced early in the year that I was “going dark”. This was in order to grow the e-commerce side of my business.

This was so important to me and required so much of my efforts, that in August I announced that I am stopping my classes, also.

In the middle of it all, we moved into our new office in March. Here’s the pictures of it.

Given this, I blogged less this year (only 55 times) than since I started this blog in 2006. I just didn’t have the time. I had to focus.

(But my focus is about to change.)

I’m happy to report that the efforts were not in vain. In all honestly, much of the effort I put forth had little to no effect. But some things worked VERY well. In fact, December was our best month in two and a half years. SCORE!

Looking back, here are the 6 posts I thought were my best. I hope you like them…

I can assure you that 2011 is going to be VERY different for me and my business. HIPPO Internet Marketing is about to announce some big news next week.

The work I did for the e-commerce side of my business was not in vain. I’ll continue that work. But my focus is about to shift over to the Internet Marketing Training and Social Media side very quickly.

If you’d like to stay informed, please be sure to sign-up for updates via our newsletter at www.HippoIMT.com.

Today, Pew Research released some new stats about Twitter that might really make you think about how much time you spend there. Their report says that only 8% of online Americans use Twitter.

When you do the math, 8% of online Americans translates into 6% of all Americans. Then, only about 36% of Twitter users use the service with any regularity. That gets us down to about 2% of all Americans.

Of course, 2% of all Americans is about 5 million Americans.

Here’s something to think about…

If Twitter is only really being used by 2% of all Americans, how much effort should we put into it?

Then again, if there is an easy way to reach out to, and/or search the conversations of even just 2%… Well… That’s actually pretty cool, right?

Either way, it’s always good to separate the hype from the facts. Keep that 2% number in mind as you plan your next marketing mix of time and money.

I’ve got some big initiatives that will involve online video. I want it to look good. We want to do it on a reasonably low budget, yet move far beyond using a web-cam, iPhone, or flip camera.

Please, please, please… If you know of anyone that can help us as listed below, please send them to this page. I’m desperate and want to move quickly. HONESTLY!

MORE DETAILS:

We’re in the process of securing a small studio and need help setting it up.

1. Most importantly, we need help with purchasing and setting up professional quality lighting. This small studio will need to be permanently setup for use with either a white-board or a green-screen at any time.

2. We also have several other rooms (see this link) at our disposal and will eventually want help learning how to best set them up for quality lighting, video & audio recording, and even live streaming.

3. We may need assistance with microphone and camera selection for the above mentioned settings, while staying within budget.

4. We need some basic support with using Sony Vegas software for video editing.

5. NOTE: We are only looking for a freelancer to give an hour or two here and there initially. This is not a full-time or even part-time position.

2. Include your experience and interest level. You must have experience working with lighting, audio, and video to be considered.

3. Explain your general pricing. In other words, if you have specific rates, let me know. If you prefer doing some sort of exchange of services, or some other method, just tell me. I’m sure we can work something out.

NOT INTERESTED?

No problem. But please forward this page, tweet it, facebook it, or do whatever you can to spread the word. We want to get started QUICK. We need someone that knows what they are doing.

Looking for a Social Media Policy Template that you can steal, edit, and reuse for your business?

Any business that has more than just a few employees really should document their social media policy. This is how you not only discourage your employees from doing something really stupid. You also encourage them to do what’s right.

As a side benefit, you have more of a leg to stand on when you try to discipline those that do something stupid.

Many of my readers may not realize that I occasionally guest-post for Social Fresh. So here are some links to a recent series I did. The first two simply lead up to the last one, which is the one that will likely benefit you the most.